MEMORANDUM OF CONSIDERATION

	IN THE CASE OF:       

	BOARD DATE:           23 February 2000                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999029319

	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the record of consideration of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual.

	Mr. Jessie B. Strickland		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Raymond V. O’Connor		Chairperson	
	Ms. Elizabeth Buchanon		Member	
	Mr. Raymond J. Wagner		Member	

	The Board, established pursuant to authority contained in 10 U.S.C. 1552, convened at the call of the Chairperson on the above date.  In accordance with Army Regulation 15-185, the application and the available military records pertinent to the corrective action requested were reviewed to determine whether to authorize a formal hearing, recommend that the records be corrected without a formal hearing, or to deny the application without a formal hearing if it is determined that insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of probable material error or injustice.

	The applicant requests correction of military records as stated in the application to the Board and as restated herein.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military 
                records
	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including
	            advisory opinion, if any)

APPLICANT REQUESTS:  That his records be corrected to reflect that he is authorized the award of the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) with “V” device.

APPLICANT STATES:  That his unit was awarded the PUC with “V” device for service on the island of Luzon during the invasion.  He further states that the PUC was awarded in 1945 but that his record was not corrected to reflect the award. In support of his application he submits a copy of his report of separation (WD AGO Form 53-55).

EVIDENCE OF RECORD:  The applicant's military records were destroyed in the 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri which destroyed millions of service records.  However, the WD AGO Form 53-55 shows that the applicant had 3 years of prior service when he enlisted on 12 September 1940 and was assigned the military occupational specialty (MOS) of a message center chief.

He served in the Pacific theater of operations (PTO) from 23 January 1941 to 6 May 1943 and from 28 July 1944 to 4 August 1944.  His records at the time of separation show that he was assigned to the 593rd Joint Assault Signal Company and that he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the American Defense Service Ribbon with one bronze battle star, the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with four bronze battle stars, a Bronze Service Arrowhead, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two bronze stars, two service stripes, and five overseas bars.  He also participated in the Luzon, Ryukus, Philippine Islands, and Southern Philippines campaigns.

On 25 September 1945 he was honorably discharged in the rank of sergeant at Fort Sheridan, Illinois.

Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1 dated 6 July 1961 provides a register of unit citations and campaign participations.  It states, in pertinent part, that the 593rd Joint Assault Signal Company participated in four campaigns and that one of the campaigns (Okinawa) was an assault landing.  There is no indication that the unit received either a PUC or a Meritorious Unit Citation (MUC).

Army Regulation 600-8-22 serves as the authority and provides the criteria for decorations and awards.  It states, in pertinent part, that assault landing credit (award of the arrowhead device) may be made to units of the Army, who in the combat zone of a battle, campaign, or expedition, as established by the Joint Chiefs of Staff or Department of the Army, participates in the assault waves of an amphibious landing on enemy-held territory.  The assault operation will be of such scope as to warrant Department of the Army designation as a battle or campaign and be of such magnitude as to include tactical elements of at least one other Service.

That regulation also states, in pertinent part, that the “V” device is worn to denote participation in acts of heroism involving conflict with an armed enemy.  It was originally worn only on the Bronze Star Medal (BSM) to denote an award for heroism (valor).  Effective 29 February 1964 the “V” device was also authorized for wear on the Air Medal and the Army Commendation Medal for heroic acts or valorous deeds not warranting awards of the Distinguished Flying Cross or the BSM with “V” device.  Effective 25 June 1963 the “V” device was authorized additionally for wear on the Joint Service Commendation Medal when the award is for acts of valor (or heroism) during participation in combat operations.

DISCUSSION:  Considering all the evidence, allegations, and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record, applicable law and regulations, it is concluded:

1.  In order to justify correction of a military record the applicant must show to the satisfaction of the Board, or it must otherwise satisfactorily appear, that the record is in error or unjust.  The applicant has failed to submit evidence that would satisfy the aforementioned requirement.

2.  The applicant’s contention that he is entitled to an award of the PUC with “V” device is not supported by the evidence submitted with his application or the available evidence of record.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, there is no basis to award him the PUC.

3.  The Board also notes that the “V” device is not authorized for award with the PUC.

4.  In view of the foregoing, there is no basis for granting the applicant's request.

DETERMINATION:  The applicant has failed to submit sufficient relevant evidence to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

__RVO__  _EB___      __RJW___  DENY APPLICATION

						Karl F. Schneider
						Director, Army Review Boards Agency

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999029319	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	2000/02/23	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR .  .  .  .  .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	(DENY)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.107.0031	77/PUC	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.